U.S. alleges Alabama men planned 'violent jihad' in Africa

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Suspects from Mobile, both 25, were arrested in Georgia

Federal complaint said the pair planned to travel to Mauritania

Terror groups linked to al Qaeda have operated in Mauritania and Mali

Two Alabama men have been charged with planning to wage "violent jihad" in Africa, U.S. authorities said on Tuesday.

Mohammad Abdul Rahman Abukhdair was arrested at a bus terminal in Augusta, Georgia. Randy (Rasheed) Wilson was arrested at the Atlanta airport as he was boarding a flight to Morocco.

The men, both 25 and from Mobile, had planned to meet in Casablanca and travel together to Mauritania, according to a criminal complaint.

The document said the suspects divulged their plans to a confidential source working for the FBI. They allegedly told the undercover source that they expected to be in a position to wage violent jihad in Mauritania.

Mauritania is a poor Muslim nation in Western Africa with an unstable government.

Terrorist groups affiliated with al Qaeda have operated in Mauritania and neighboring Mali, according to U.S. officials familiar with the region.